vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
|
Post by vwfence on Feb 9, 2013 9:50:45 GMT -5
Has anyone tried building a lap useing an automobile buffer/polisher with the variable speed motor ?
|
|
itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
|
Post by itsandbits on Feb 9, 2013 10:43:43 GMT -5
it works well. Its all I use for cutting and polishing now. I started with a drill press for everything but only use the drill press for cutting rough and then trimming preforms. I whipped the one in the picture up last night in 3/4 of an hour from rough to what you see. It is only about 1/8th in thick at the crown and is a local chalcedony I call "BC Blue" that I hounded. The polisher I use was bought new for $39 and is variable from 0-3000 rpm. It takes a 7" backing plate but I rarely use that. I put a grinding disk on first then put my 6" diamond laps on top of that so they get support, then when I am finishing i use the 5" floor polishing disks mounted on velcro pads. I mounted an 16" old frying pan on the face so don't get spray but extended it with inner tube to make sure the spray stays in. I have a drip tube to water the pads/disks and a hole in the frying pan with a tube leading to the 5 gallon pail the whole rig is mounted on. I like it. Lloyd Attachments:
|
|
grizman
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since July 2011
Posts: 878
|
Post by grizman on Feb 9, 2013 12:42:03 GMT -5
Pictures of your polisher, please? I'd love to see just wha tit looks like. It sounds like a great idea for the handy individual. Nice cab by the way!
|
|
itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
|
Post by itsandbits on Feb 9, 2013 13:11:43 GMT -5
not the best photo but this is the veiw from the outside. I have it set into an old stereo cabinet with a hole cut in the shelf for the bucket. My little in house workplace I am happy with most of my results but there is room for improvement in my technique. Lloyd Attachments:
|
|
steveo
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2011
Posts: 273
|
Post by steveo on Feb 9, 2013 15:23:03 GMT -5
Very nice looking cab.
|
|
rockhead11
off to a rocking start
Member since December 2012
Posts: 18
|
Post by rockhead11 on Feb 14, 2013 14:55:32 GMT -5
very smart indeed! Good ole southern ingenuity can't beat it!
|
|
drjo
fully equipped rock polisher
Honduran Opal & DIY Nut
Member since May 2008
Posts: 1,581
|
Post by drjo on Feb 15, 2013 8:09:18 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D ( rockhead11) If your in the Yukon I guess! Great work itsandbits and thanks for the pix. DR Joe
|
|
|
Post by orrum on Feb 15, 2013 9:44:01 GMT -5
I been needing a 800-1000 rpm leather polisher with sapphire powder for my turquoise and this is it, THANKS!
|
|
itsandbits
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2012
Posts: 825
|
Post by itsandbits on Feb 15, 2013 10:29:18 GMT -5
thanks guys a couple of fine points; the grinder can't fall into the bucket for two reasons: 1- the grinder head has a flange sticking out that hooks over the edge of the bucket cutout and I put a retaining lug through this to stop it if it did try to slide uphill. 2- the frying pan is screwed through to the head of the angle grinder with 4 screws tapped into the head. I used aluminum flashing for the splash guard where I didn't have to contact it and inner tube where I sometimes push down with my forearms. The head lock to take the pads off is just reachable inside the bucket, and the variable knob just sticks over the bucket edge so is good to go too; lucky I guess. Next one I make, I am going to use a more square sided pan and see if that gives me more access under the pads when I drop a cab :<)
|
|